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Facilitating Safety, Fostering Growth

Over the past two days, we wrapped up our Cultivating Emotional Intelligence  course with the Jacksonville Partnership for Child Health  and I’m leaving both inspired and deeply grateful. What made this experience so meaningful was not just the curriculum itself. It was watching an entire team lean into the work together with intention and openness. Emotional intelligence is not a “nice to have.” It is the foundation of a healthy, trauma aware, and compassionate workplace cul

One of the greatest gifts we can offer in supervision is genuine curiosity. Not to fix. Not to control. But to understand. Curiosity is the heartbeat of meaningful leadership. It reminds us that connection comes not from having the answers, but from asking the right questions with openness and respect. Cultural humility takes that idea one step further. It acknowledges that we never fully “arrive” in our understanding of others. Instead, it calls us into a lifelong practice o

I just wrapped up a strategic planning session in North Carolina with a small but mighty group working on youth suicide prevention and awareness . It reminded me of one of my favorite quotes by Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has." This group truly embodied that spirit. They came together with deep commitment and compassion not with all the answers, but with a shared p

I’ve been thinking a lot about strategic planning lately. Over the years, I’ve facilitated planning sessions with nonprofits, community-based organizations, and government agencies, and I keep seeing the same thing happen. Every year, teams pour hours into retreats filled with sticky notes, big ideas, and good intentions. Everyone leaves inspired… and then nothing changes. The cycle usually breaks down in familiar ways. Too often, teams jump straight into goal setting before

Each October, ADHD Awareness Month invites us to learn, reflect, and take meaningful action. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects millions of children and adults worldwide, yet misconceptions and stigma persist. Too often, ADHD is misunderstood as simple distraction or restlessness. In truth, it is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects focus, impulse control, and regulation, traits that can present both challenges and strengths across the lifespan. Aw

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of spending the day in Jacksonville, FL with the incredible team at the Partnership for Child Health , leading a training on Trauma Informed Motivational Interviewing . The energy in the room was remarkable, with professionals deeply committed to supporting youth and young adults navigating some of life’s toughest challenges. Their openness and dedication reminded me why this work matters so deeply. Motivational Interviewing (MI) by its

Systems aren’t always designed to support the real needs of employees. The workload, the pace, the emotional toll — 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆. 🔥 Leaders are left navigating this pressure while still being expected to show up strong and support their teams. That’s no small task. At Silver Linings International, we understand that sustainable leadership starts with being trauma-informed. Our Trauma-Informed Supervision courses  equip le

Last Friday, I had the privilege of presenting “The Weight We Carry: Building Staff Resilience Through Trauma-Informed Practice”  at the Willow Domestic Violence Center of Greater Rochester Summit , a space filled with some of the most compassionate and resilient professionals I know. Those who work in domestic violence services carry more than caseloads and calendars; they carry stories , grief , hope , and the profound weight of emotional labor and moral distress. Emotional

We are so happy to be working with the NW Ohio Trauma-Informed Care Collaborative  as they take the next step in their journey through...

Turnover is often viewed as just part of doing business, but it is more than a staffing challenge. It is a symptom of deeper...

What if supervision could be more than schedules, check-ins, and performance reviews? What if it could be the very thing that inspires...

Facilitation often seems simple: ask questions, open discussion, keep things moving. But the real challenge comes when a group includes...

In every organization, a strong core team is more than just a group of capable people. It is the foundation for safety, trust, and shared...

We need your  help in getting the word out! To make the 2025 Willow Way Summit  a success, we are asking our partners, colleagues, and...

Compassion fatigue  is often called the “cost of caring.” It is the emotional, physical, and psychological exhaustion that develops when...

Stepping into a leadership role, especially within the same organization where you were once a peer, can feel both exciting and delicate....

In today's fast-paced and often fragmented work environments, fostering genuine connection and trust among team members is more crucial...

In every organization, simply gathering people in a room does not automatically create a high-performing team. What separates an...

In the realm of facilitation, establishing an environment conducive to open dialogue and growth is paramount. While the concept of "safe...

On September 2, 2025, Debra had the honor of serving as a guest speaker at the Resiliency Summit for Animal Professionals , hosted by...